Question 1

What other cities does San Francisco International Airport serve besides just San Francisco?

Accepted Answer

San Francisco International Airport (SFO) serves San Francisco and acts as a main gateway to Northern California. Nearby cities such as Oakland and Berkeley can be reached from SFO by public transit, while San Jose can be reached by Caltrain.

Question 2

How do I get around once I arrive in California?

Accepted Answer

From San Francisco Airport, travelers have several public transportation options. AirTrain connects to the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) station, which serves San Francisco, the East Bay and San Mateo County. For San Jose, Caltrain commuter rail offers direct service from Millbrae Station. SamTrans buses run 24/7 and connect the airport with Millbrae Station, San Francisco and San Mateo County.

Question 3

How do I get around San Francisco Airport?

Accepted Answer

The SFO AirTrain runs 24 hours a day and connects the domestic and international terminals, terminal garages and the BART Station. On the Blue Line, it also serves the Rental Car Center, Long-Term Parking and the Grand Hyatt at SFO.

Question 4

Can I get to the downtown area of San Francisco via a rideshare when I land?

Accepted Answer

Yes, Lyft and Uber both operate at San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and each terminal has a designated pickup area. At Terminal 1, pickups are at Garage Cores A/B and B. At Terminal 2, they are at Garage Cores C and D. At Terminal 3, they are at E, F and F/G.

Wingz also operates at SFO, with pickups on the Arrivals Level of the Domestic Terminals. The listed locations are Terminal 1 at Doors 7 and 8, Terminal 2 at Doors 4 and 5 and Terminal 3 between United Blue ...

Question 5

What documents will I need in order to fly from Washington, D.C., to San Francisco?

Accepted Answer

U.S. citizens flying from Washington, D.C., to San Francisco can use a valid passport, a REAL ID-compliant driver's license or another federally approved photo ID.

Accepted forms include a Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI or FAST card, a U.S. Department of Defense ID or a permanent resident card. Standard driver's licenses that are not REAL ID-compliant are not accepted for air travel. TSA has the complete list of accepted identification.

Question 6

I’m traveling with kids. How can I keep them entertained?

Accepted Answer

The FunWay at Dulles International is a play area in Concourse B near Gate B70 where kids can run around before departure. It has aviation-themed climb-on and slide-down features, plus two aircraft elements on loan from NASA.

An interactive game console offers more than 100 kid-friendly games. Activity sheets, aviation-themed crossword puzzles and word searches are also available. Seating and charging stations are available for parents and guardians while they wait.

Question 7

Which airlines offer extra legroom and free seat selection on Washington, D.C. to San Francisco flights?

Accepted Answer

Among airlines operating Washington, D.C. to San Francisco flights:

• United Airlines: offers extra legroom; offers free seat selection
• Alaska Airlines: offers extra legroom; offers free seat selection

Extra legroom and free seat selection availability depends on fare class and route.

Question 8

What airlines fly from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco?

Accepted Answer

2 airlines operate flights between Washington, D.C. and San Francisco. The airlines offering nonstop flights on this route include:

• United Airlines
• Alaska Airlines

Question 9

Which airports can I use when flying from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco?

Accepted Answer

Flights from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco may depart from several airports in Washington, D.C. area, including Washington, D.C. Reagan-National (DCA) and Washington, D.C. Dulles Intl (IAD). Flights usually arrive at San Francisco (SFO).

Question 10

Which airlines include bags at no extra cost on Washington, D.C. to San Francisco flights?

Accepted Answer

Here are some options for this route, based on selected ticket types and cabin classes:

• United Airlines: a cabin bag and a checked bag in Economy Class
• Alaska Airlines: a cabin bag and a checked bag in Economy Class
• JetBlue: a cabin bag in Economy Class class

Bag allowance can vary by ticket type, cabin class, route and airline, so always check the fare details before booking.

Question 11

What cabin classes can I book on flights from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco?

Accepted Answer

Three cabin classes are available on flights from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco:

• Economy Class
• Business Class
• First Class

Question 12

How much can I save by taking a layover when flying from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco?

Accepted Answer

On this route, layover flights are cheaper than nonstop options on average. Layover fares average $338 round-trip via Seattle/Tacoma Intl (SEA), compared to $527 for nonstop.

Question 13

What is the standard checked-bag allowance on flights from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco?

Accepted Answer

There is no standard. Checked-bag policies vary by airline on this route. Most carriers charge $40–$100 for the first checked bag in economy. Premium fares and elite-status bookings typically include a free checked bag.

Question 14

Which airports do connecting flights from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco pass through?

Accepted Answer

One-stop flights from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco most commonly connect through:

• Denver Intl (DEN) - 42% of one-stop connections
• Las Vegas Harry Reid Intl (LAS) - 16% of one-stop connections
• Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson (ATL) - 13% of one-stop connections
• Boston Logan Intl (BOS) - 11% of one-stop connections

Question 15

Can I save money by using flexible dates for flights from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Flexible dates can save you up to 25% on flights from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco. Wednesday is the cheapest departure day at $463 round-trip on average, while Monday is the most expensive at $615, a difference of $152.

KAYAK's flexible dates feature shows options up to 3 days before and after your selected dates, making it easier to compare nearby fares.

Question 16

At what point is a flight considered delayed from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco?

Accepted Answer

A flight is considered delayed when it departs 15 minutes or more after its scheduled time. This is the standard used by the US Department of Transportation and most airline industry reporting. On the Washington, D.C. to San Francisco route, 17% of flights were delayed in the past 3 months, with delays averaging 2h 53m.

Question 17

How are flight departures from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco spread across the day?

Accepted Answer

Morning is the busiest departure period on Washington, D.C. to San Francisco flights, with 34% of flights leaving in that window. Evening departures account for 33%, afternoon flights for 25%, and night flights for 8%.

Question 18

What popular places can I visit in San Francisco?

Accepted Answer

Some of the most popular sights in San Francisco are Fisherman's Wharf, Union Square and Moscone Center. These are among the most viewed places in San Francisco on KAYAK.

Question 19

What are the earliest and latest flights from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco?

Accepted Answer

These are the earliest and latest flight times available from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco:

• Earliest: departs at 6:00 am and lands at 12:11 pm
• Latest: departs at 10:33 pm and lands at 4:44 am.

The flight takes about 6h 11m.

Question 20

How expensive are last-minute Washington, D.C. to San Francisco flights?

Accepted Answer

Last-minute fares on this route (booked within two weeks of departure) run 56% above the $509 route average. Book 19 weeks before departure for the lowest fares.

Question 21

How long is a flight from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco?

Accepted Answer

A nonstop flight from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco takes 6h 11m, covering 2,434 miles.

Question 22

Do I need a passport to fly from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco?

Accepted Answer

No, a passport is not required for this domestic route, but you will need a real ID-compliant driver's license, a state ID or another TSA-accepted form of identification.

Question 23

Have flight prices from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco changed much recently?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Based on fares seen in the past 5 days, round-trip prices on this route showed a wide range, from about $426 to $2,652. That means the highest observed fare was about 6x higher than the lowest one.

Question 24

How are flight prices from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco looking right now?

Accepted Answer

One-way fares from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco are currently lower than usual. Average one-way flight prices are about $210, which is 35% below the typical average for this route.

Question 25

What time of day has the fewest delays on flights from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco?

Accepted Answer

Morning flights have the fewest delays on this route, while evening departures tend to have the most.

Question 26

How much time can I save by choosing a different layover airport from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco?

Accepted Answer

Flying via Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County (DTW) gives the shortest average 1-stop total travel time at 7h 39m, compared with 7h 50m via Los Angeles (LAX) and 8h 01m via Chicago Midway (MDW).

Question 27

What is the time difference between Washington, D.C. and San Francisco?

Accepted Answer

San Francisco is 3 hours behind Washington, D.C. (Pacific Time vs Eastern Time). Plan for the time shift when scheduling connections or first-day activities.

Question 28

What car rental options are available at San Francisco Airport (SFO)?

Accepted Answer

San Francisco Airport (SFO) hosts 5 major car rental companies, with daily rates averaging $63 for economy cars. Top options include:

• Europcar
• Thrifty
• Dollar
• Hertz
• Fox

Question 29

How much should I expect to pay for a Washington, D.C. to San Francisco flight?

Accepted Answer

Round-trip flights from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco range from $394 to $660, with an average of $509 over the past 12 months. Anything below $394 counts as a good deal.

Question 30

Which airlines offer Wi-Fi on Washington, D.C. to San Francisco flights?

Accepted Answer

Two airlines offer in-flight Wi-Fi on Washington, D.C. to San Francisco flights:

• Alaska Airlines
• JetBlue

Pricing varies by airline and fare class. Some plans are included with the ticket or loyalty program; others are paid add-ons priced by flight length.

Question 31

How much is a round-trip flight from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco?

Accepted Answer

Round-trip flights from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco typically range from $394 to $660. The lowest price found in the past 5 days was $424, on Frontier.

Question 32

What is the cheapest Washington, D.C. to San Francisco flight route?

Accepted Answer

There's little price difference between Washington, D.C. to San Francisco routes. They average around $497 round-trip, based on KAYAK data over the past 12 months.

Question 33

What's the cheapest day of the week to fly from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco?

Accepted Answer

Based on deals KAYAK users found in the last 12 months, Wednesday is the cheapest day of the week to fly from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco. It’s 10% cheaper than the average day, while Monday is the most expensive, with prices 20% higher.

Question 34

What’s the cheapest month to fly from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco?

Accepted Answer

•January is the cheapest month to fly from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco at $365 round-trip.
•June ($589) and November ($585) are the most expensive months.
•The price difference between flying in the cheapest and most expensive months is 61% on average.
This is based on KAYAK aggregated and averaged internal data over the past 12 months.

Question 35

When are flights from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco the cheapest?

Accepted Answer

Flights from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco are cheapest 19 weeks before departure. Booking in this window typically costs about 44% less than the average last-minute fare (within 2 weeks of the flight), based on KAYAK data.

Question 36

Which airline is the cheapest to fly from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco?

Accepted Answer

Frontier ($424) and American Airlines ($427) are the cheapest airlines to fly round-trip from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco according to KAYAK data over the last 5 days.

Question 37

Which airline offers the most nonstop flights between Washington, D.C. and San Francisco?

Accepted Answer

United Airlines and Alaska Airlines offer the most frequent nonstop flights from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco, at 73 and 7 flights per week respectively. Based on KAYAK flight data over the last 3 months.

Question 38

How often are flights from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco delayed?

Accepted Answer

Over the last 3 months Washington, D.C. to San Francisco flights were delayed 17% of the time. Delayed flights averaged 2h 53m behind schedule.

Question 39

What’s the most punctual time of day to fly from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco?

Accepted Answer

Morning flights have the fewest delays. Evening departures experience delays most often.

Question 40

Which day of the week has the fewest delays on Washington, D.C. to San Francisco flights?

Accepted Answer

Tuesday has the fewest flight delays on the Washington, D.C. to San Francisco route, at only 11% of flights delayed. Thursday has the most delays at 23%.

Question 41

Which airline is the most punctual on Washington, D.C. to San Francisco flights?

Accepted Answer

United Airlines is the most punctual airline on Washington, D.C. to San Francisco flights. 84% of flights were on time in the past 3 months.

Question 42

What’s the most popular layover airport when flying from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco?

Accepted Answer

Denver Intl (DEN) is the most popular layover for the Washington, D.C. to San Francisco route. 42% of KAYAK users who booked 1-stop round-trips over the past 3 months connected via DEN.

Question 43

What is the cheapest layover airport when flying from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco?

Accepted Answer

Flights via Seattle/Tacoma Intl (SEA) offer the most affordable fares, with an average round-trip price of $338. Based on KAYAK data over the past 3 months.

Question 44

Which route with a layover is the fastest from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco?

Accepted Answer

Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County (DTW) offers the shortest 1-stop connection from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco at 7h 39m one-way, 1h 28m longer than the 6h 11m direct flight. Based on KAYAK data over the past 3 months.

Question 45

When flying from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco which airport offers the shortest layover?

Accepted Answer

Los Angeles (LAX) had the shortest average connection time for Washington, D.C. to San Francisco layovers at 4h 09m over the past 3 months.

Question 46

How many nonstop flights run daily between Washington, D.C. and San Francisco?

Accepted Answer

There are 11 to 12 flights per day from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco, about 80 flights per week. Monday has the most departures, with 15% of weekly flights.

Question 47

What time of day do most flights depart from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco?

Accepted Answer

Most nonstop flights from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco depart in the morning, accounting for 34% of nonstop departures. Around 4 flights are scheduled in that window over the next three months.

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WAS - SFO

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Which day of the week has the fewest delays on Washington, D.C. to San Francisco flights?

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